Nine sites significant to Indiana’s African American history will receive restoration and rehabilitation assistance through two funds established by the late Eli Lilly chemist and preservation champion Standiford “Stan” Cox.

One of the nine sites is the Lynn Street Colored School Center of Good Will Inc. in Seymour which is receiving $20,000 in funding to replace the roof and guttering systems to prevent water infiltration in the school that was constructed in 1870.

Last year, a total of $30,000 was received through grants and private donations to rebuild the south wall of the building at 208 S. Lynn St. on the west side of Seymour.

“Doing the wall was one of the most important things,” said Kay Welton, who is chairwoman of the committee overseeing the restoration.

“Now, it’s the roof,” she said.

The reconstruction will not stop with that project. The next step is working on the doors and windows, but that is just the outside of the building. The interior still needs attention, too.

“It’s an overhaul,” Welton said.

This project extends down Welton’s family line. She received the building in 1998 from her father who had it passed down from her great-grandmother, who became the owner after Welton’s great-grandfather died.

Welton’s great-great-grandfather even contributed to the construction of the building, which was used as a school for African-Americans.

The state condemned the building in 1929, leading to the closure of the school, because had it poor ventilation and heating and lighting and no water supply and sanitary systems. It was later used as the Good Will Center.

A fire damaged the building in 1941, and for a while, the Good Will Center was housed in the basement of the adjacent Bethel AME Church. A year later, the building was turned into a dormitory for those building Freeman Field as a military base during World War II.

Reflecting on African American history, Welton mentioned the Buffalo soldiers — some of the first park rangers who were Black — which she said people from the family line reached out to the school.

Despite how small the Black community is here, Welton said that Jackson County’s African American history is rich, yet not enough people know about it.

For the Lynn School, there is much to be done in its reconstruction process. To support the cause, donations can be accepted through their PO Box 77, Seymour, and by participating in fundraising events.

Welton said they have a fundraising event in the works for November.

Grants totaling $202,000 are being distributed from the Standiford H. Cox Fund and the Dovie Stewart Cox & Chester A. Cox Sr. Memorial Fund to nine sites across the state.

“We’re pleased to serve as a preservation advisor on these grants, which continue the visionary work of Stan Cox to protect Indiana’s Black heritage,” said Mark Dollase, vice president of preservation services at Indiana Landmarks. “The partnership between the Central Indiana Community Foundation and Indiana Landmarks creates a brighter future for these important local landmarks.”

Stan Cox, who passed away in 2019, joined Eli Lilly and Co. in 1957 as its first Black chemist. He established the two funds with Central Indiana Community Foundation to support the restoration, preservation, operation and ongoing maintenance of African American historic sites in Indiana.

Applications for the next round of grants will be due April 1, 2025. Those who want to suggest a property that might qualify for grants from the funds should contact Indiana Landmarks at [email protected].